Emily Lakdawalla Book Recommendations & Book Mentions

Emily Lakdawalla

As background to this I recommend reading David Quammen’s book The Tangled Tree with its excellent explanation of horizontal gene transfer, despite my reservations about the book’s treatment of women scientists & contribution to the “great man” view of the history of science

Emily Lakdawalla

For context, the last time we had to do all this driving, we listened to Becoming (read by Michelle Obama, which was great) and Emily Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey, read by Claire Danes (which was TERRIFIC, so fun to discuss the Odyssey with the kid!)

Emily Lakdawalla

I'm recommending _The Boy Whose Head Was Filled With Stars_, by @isamarinov, illus @deborahmarcero. I love the illustrations & use of metallic text to set off scientific questions that motivated Hubble's stargazing. #EmilysSpaceBooks https://t.co/pbrcgKNbLP https://t.co/7Zy4wdSsG0

Emily Lakdawalla

@wilcox_rl How much does she enjoy reading nonfiction vs looking at the pictures? John McPhee is great. The Control of Nature or Basin and Range are ones I remember, though they’re pretty old now. There’s a gorgeous huge DK picture book called Natural Wonders of the World.

Emily Lakdawalla

@wilcox_rl How much does she enjoy reading nonfiction vs looking at the pictures? John McPhee is great. The Control of Nature or Basin and Range are ones I remember, though they’re pretty old now. There’s a gorgeous huge DK picture book called Natural Wonders of the World.

Emily Lakdawalla

@wilcox_rl How much does she enjoy reading nonfiction vs looking at the pictures? John McPhee is great. The Control of Nature or Basin and Range are ones I remember, though they’re pretty old now. There’s a gorgeous huge DK picture book called Natural Wonders of the World.

Emily Lakdawalla

For high schoolers, I'm recommending Phenomena: Doppelmayr's Celestial Atlas, by Giles Sparrow. Gorgeous, heavy, impressive, remarkably easy to read, beautiful reprint of 18th century celestial atlas w/comment & context & so many pictures #EmilysSpaceBooks https://t.co/uPx7kfWhZN https://t.co/igO7RnMSpF

Emily Lakdawalla

There's a book I recommend about this photo, written for middle-grade kids but highly informative for all ages: The Blue Marble, by Don Nardo. Part of Compass Point Books' excellent series on photos that changed society. #EmilysSpaceBooks https://t.co/f8n0WVzqIe https://t.co/rLp66LVH4p

Emily Lakdawalla

I'm recommending _Goodnight, Astronaut_ by Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly, illus. @izzyburtonart. Kelly has slept in a lot of interesting places! Writing is EXCELLENT. Bedtime book or text to teach consonance, assonance, and alliteration! #EmilysSpaceBooks https://t.co/rnhm6iuwDT https://t.co/FNprwljBn6